GIANT-killer David Beharall today set his sights on another Premiership giant - having helped Grimsby Town knock holders Liverpool out of the Worthington Cup.

GIANT-killer David Beharall today set his sights on another Premiership giant - having helped Grimsby Town knock holders Liverpool out of the Worthington Cup.

The defender, hoping to have his loan period at Blundell Park extended until the end of the season, was only given permission to play in the tie at Anfield the night before by Newcastle United manager Bobby Robson.

The 22-year-old from Walker drove across to Merseyside from Tyneside on the day of the game to link up with his teammates.

After a goalless 90 minutes, Beharall had feared the worst when he gave away the penalty which saw Liverpool's Gary McAllister take a 101st-minute lead from the penalty spot.

But Grimsby fought back to win 2-1, with the winner coming from Liverpool fan, and former Everton reserve striker, Phil Jevons.

"It was a great game and fantastic to have been a part of it - winning at Anfield in black and white stripes, even if they're Grimsby's, won't be something I'll forget in a long time," said Beharall.

"Our game plan from the start was to stop them playing. We figured they'd miss the pace of Michael Owen, and it worked. We definitely deserved to win.

"It was unfortunate conceding the penalty but you can't let it affect your game.

"You've got to get it out of your head. And the thing was we then had nothing to lose and absolutely tore into them.

"For the last five or 10 minutes we were all over them and when Phil Jevons scored it was amazing because Grimsby had 5,000 fans inside Anfield.

"I'd said to Phil before the game that it was all set up for him to score the winner, as he was a Liverpool fan, and it turned out that way.

"Now it would be great for the club if they could draw another big name, someone like Chelsea or Leeds, though not Newcastle as I wouldn't be allowed to play!"

Beharall, who had been refused permission to play in the previous round because United did not want him cup-tied, discovered he could play 24 hours before the game.

He said: "I found out at 5pm the day before - I was in Newcastle and not sure if they'd allow me after the last round.

"But given the fact that it was against Liverpool on such a big stage I was given permission, and I've got to thank Newcastle for that."

Beharall has not played in the first team under Bobby Robson, with his last game being the 5-1 defeat at Manchester United, for which caretaker boss Steve Clarke was in charge.

And he admits first-team football with the Mariners has taught him an awful lot in a short space of time.

"I think I needed first-team football this season, and I've learned more at Grimsby in two months than I probably have in the reserves over the past year.

"That's no disrespect to the reserves but you can't beat a run in the first team and it's done my confidence the world of good.

"My loan spell runs out this weekend and I would be happy for it to be extended until the end of the season. If Newcastle wanted me it would be different but there are a lot of centre-halves at the club."